Monarto

In 1972, the State Government, proposed the establishment of a satellite city at Monarto to stop Adelaide’s suburban sprawl. About an hour’s drive south east of Adelaide farms were compulsorily purchased. It was estimated the new town would have a population of 100,000 to 200,000. You can hear one farmer’s opinion about it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBSceRup5Dk

By 1980 the elaborate plan had been abandoned. In 1983 Monarto Zoo was established on 1000 hectares of the site.

Yesterday we enjoyed the “Monarto Zoo’s Lion 360 Experience”, a gift from our “kids”. The weather was perfect and when we arrived the whole place was abuzz with the news that giraffe, Kinky, had given birth early that morning. Our bus wasn’t due to arrive for about an hour so we walked around the enclosures near the Visitors’ Centre.

Click on an image to go to the slideshow where you can read the captions.

Meerkat in the separate feeding enclosure. Every day they dig dozens of tunnels and every morning they’re filled in while the Meerkats are distracted.

Meerkat out in the open enclosure.

There’s always a nutter about.

Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies

On the way to the African Safari area where the Lions are kept we passed through several environments before making a quick diversion to see the new baby. The bus paused so people could take photos but no one was able to get out of the bus.

Young Nyala, I think

Barbery Sheep

Kinky and her newborn

Only a few hours old.

I used to be the star here!

The bus took us past the amenities blocks and on to the viewing areas. Before entering the large dome cage we were warned that the lions on show for the day were three young brothers and there was a possibility they might mark their territory. I think everyone was wary of being sprayed with stinky lion urine.

We felt as if we were walking into the Colloseum.

I’m coming for you!

I sense FOOD!

Snacking.

What big paws you have!

What a big nose you have!

What impressive whiskers you have!

What big teeth you have!

My eye is upon you!

What a raspy tongue you have!

Inside the dome.

We left the bus when it returned to the previous stop and took the Bretag Ruins Walking Track.

You can find detailed information on the Bretag Farm here.

Maybe a Sleepy Lizard skin on the path.

Limestone rocks are everywhere.

Bretag ruins, cottage and farm buildings.

The old wood stove.

Native Pine rafters, I think.

Animal enclosure.

Old water tanks

Lime Kiln – there’s plenty of Limestone about!

Looking into the Lime Kiln.

The track took us past an old cottage being renovated. The resident will have a fabulous view over the Plains habitat where the giraffes are.

 

 

View from the front verandah.

Front of the homestead.

The old kitchen -not inside for fear of fire destroying the homestead.

Homestead being renovated.

After the ruins we took the Waterhole Track. Walking gave us much better views of  the animals.

Kinky and calf

Nyalas

A loving lick.

Tasmanian Devil

Let me sleep!

The Ridge Track then  brought us down to the Chimpanzees’ enclosures.

An echidna well spotted by the old geezer.

The Echidna soon sensed I was about and took off.

Styled Spines

Nyala

Blackbucks

Southern White Rhino

If you won’t groom me I’ll just sulk here!

Kiss from Mama

Baby suckling

Our last stop was at the cafe where the person behind the counter was very keen to know if we’d seen the baby giraffe. It was a great day, the walk back to the Visitors Centre enabling us to really feel part of the rich environment.